



EFLECTIO 



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PS 

35*09 



BY 

Lou Spencer Ellis 



MAR 9 1898 '^ I 




LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, 



Chap,. 



'opyri 



t No.. 



Shelf. 



i»f^ 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



Sunbeams and Reflections 

By Lou Spencer Ellis 



ILLUSTRATED 



CHICAGO 
Charles H. Kerr & Company 
1898 
L 






T>S ^ S^ 'I 



2908 



Copyright, 1897 
By Lou Spencer Ellis 



To 



My dearest frieqd, Mrs. \Nn\. M. Stewart, who 

exemplifies all tl^e clqaracteristics of 

perfect womanhood, tl^is little book 

is affectioqately inscribed. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



Greeting, 

The Baby, 

"Live with the Children," 

Morning, . . 

A Brownie's Experience, 

The Pine Tree's Whisper, 

The South Wind's Sigh, 

Children's Voices, . , 

The Sand Lily, 

Dinah's Rebuke, 

Little Feet, 

Rule tlie Temper, . . 

The Seed's Mission, 

Santa Claus, 

Fred, .. 

Twilight Murmurs, 

Home and Mother, 

Music, 

The May-day Picnic, 

Change, 

The Silver Lining, 

Soap Bubbles, 

Duty and Reward, 

Night Fall, 



PAGE. 

7 
1 1 

12 

13 
16 

17 
19 

21 
22 

25 
26 
27 
30 
31 
32 

33 
36 
38 
39- 
41 
43 
45 
47 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 





PAGE. 


The Baby, 


8 


Margaret M., Arthur, Hubert, Leslie and Russell, 


lO 


Frank, 


• 15 


Three Little Friends, 


18 


Annie Louise, 


20 


Margaret F., 


24 


Gladys, 


.. 29 


Fred, 


31 


Margaret R, . . 


•• 35 


Russell, 


37 


Frank ank Lucile, 


.. 40 


Leslie, 


42 


Hamish, 


.. 46 


Annie Louise, 


48 



Come to me, O ye children ; 

And zvhis;per in my ear 
What the birds and zuinds are sayin^ir 

In your sunny atmosphere. 
For tvhat are all our contrivings 

And the zvisdom of our books, 
When compared zuith our caresses, 

And the gladness of your looks? 

—LONGFELLOW. 



GREET I XG 



GREETING. 

We little friends, here in the West, 
Send greetings, kindest, fondest, best, 
To all dear little girls and boys. 
We wish for you a wealth of joys. 
Full many a lovely Christmas gift, 
And glad New Year; may sunlight sift 
Through every cloud; may God above 
Bless every one with health and love. 



TJfE BABY. 




THE BABY. 



77/ A BABY 



THE BABY. 

A radiance of glory bright 

Streamed from the Throne afar, 

And one sweet beam of heavenly light 
Crept through the gates ajar. 

A glistening flake of falling snow 

Guided its way to earth; 
The stars sang soft, and sweet and low. 

A festal ode of birth. 

And in a tiny baby face, 

And heart with love replete, 

The glory beam found resting place, 
And made our joy complete. 

The sunshine, comfort, happiness, 

God's greatest gift to man, 
Is the child life that comes to bless, 

And thus perfect His plan. 



10 



'JJVE W'/'l'I/ 'nil-: CHILDREN. 




MARGARET M. 

LESLIE AND RUSSELL. 

ARTHUR. HUBERT. 



" Wouldst find content and joy and peace ? 
Then with the children live." 



LIVE WITH THE CHILDREN:' 11 



''LIVE WITH THE CHILDREN." 

—Froebel. 

Wouldst find content, and joy and peace? 

Then with the children live; 
Give happy words and smiles release. 

That they may pleasure give. 

Strive to make roughest places smooth, 

Share in their careless fun; 
Pluck out the thorns and smartings soothe, 

Help out hard tasks begun. 

In teaching patience, learn as well; 

Grow wise, as day by day, 
You strive the Father's love to tell. 

And point the upward way. 



12 MONXIXG 



MORNING. 

Faint zephyrs stir and murmur low, 

The twinkling lights fade one by one, 
As night recedes with footstep slow, 

Now o'er the mountain peeps the Sun 
And kisses blushing day's young face; 

The linnets chirp; the robins call, 
The dew-drops spangle spiders' lace; 

And God's love speaks through each and all. 



A BKOIVX/E'S EXPEKIEiXCE. 13 



A BROWNIE'S EXPERIENCE. 

A pert young Brownie dark and small, 
Who could climb trees and never fall, 
Play pranks on all who were unkind, 
And jolly things for good boys find; 
One winter had a corner nice, 
Away from cold, and snow and ice, 
Within a playroom, filled with toys; 
All sorts of things for girls and boys; 
Drums, dolls, tops, balls, blocks not a few, 
Large cats, small dogs, a sheep or two, 
And by herself quite, quite alone, 
A cow that mooed with rasping tone. 
The listening Brownie heard her say, 
"I long to taste some sweet fresh hay. 
Or stroll in field of young, green grass, 
Where clovers nod as on you pass; 
Or tiger lilies tall and proud. 
Mix with the buttercups bright crowd; 
Or pennyroyal breathes perfume, 
Crushed by a footstep in the gloom 
Of gathering twilight. Oh to hear 
The leader's bell sound in my ear. 
Tinkling afar or clanging near, 
Would give such soothing to my breast 
That I could chew my cud and rest." 



14 A BROWNIE'S EXPEKIKNCE. 

Quite big and round grew Brownie's e3^es, 
With wonderment and great surprise, 
To hear a wood and leather cow 
Talk in this way. He made a bow, 
And from his corner came to see 
If he could solve this mystery. 
His trip across the playroom floor, 
Caused much commotion and uproar; 
The rubber cats began to mew. 
The dogs barked loud; a motley crew 
Of soldiers tin, with muskets bright. 
Glared fierce as if about to fight. 
At sound of drum and bugle's call. 
Poor Brownie backed against the wall, 
Then changed himself into a mouse, 
Crept through a hole and left the house, 
Resolved to brave the winter's cold 
Rather than live 'mong playthings old, 
And bound so firm by friendship's tie, 
They let no curious Brownie pry 
Into their secrets. If content 
Had he remained, and wisely spent 
The days in peace and quietude, 
Not one to him would have been rude. 

A little lesson all who live 
Can learn from this. Inquisitive 
And prying habits oft give pain; 
Better in silence to remain, 
And learn by observation true, 
Life lessons not quite clear to you. 



rilE PINE TREE'S IV///SPEA'. 



15 




FRANK. 
The merry shouts that rise from play. 



16 THE PINE TREE'S WHISPER. 



THE PINE TREE'S WHISPER. 

A pine tree on a mountain height, 

Rustled and whispered low 
To a small cloud, that caught the light 

Thrown by an afterglow. 

" The evening shadows swiftly fall, 

Let down your light on me; 
Voices afar now softly call, 

I'll echo whisperingly; 

'' Earnest or harsh, they sound in turn, 

Then wooing tones of love. 
Then warlike cries; then words that yearn 

In prayer, to Him above. 

" The vesper bell, with rythmic flow, 
Rings love toward all mankind: 

Now home, belated toilers go, 
And joyous welcome find. 

^' Sweet, now the mother's cradle song. 

Lulling the babe to rest; 
And ever through the whole day long, 

The sounds I love the best, 

'' Arc children's voices, light and gay, 
In laughter, gurgling, sweet; 

The merry shouts that rise from play. 
Or patter of their feet." 



THE SOUTH WIND'S SIGH. 17 



THE SOUTH WIND'S SIGH. 

Within a cavern, black with shade, 

All day the winds were pent; 
Shrieks, groans and moans such chaos made, 

That swift night birds were sent 

By iEolus, for their release; 

Beside, was this decree: 
''At streak of day, your play must cease. 

Return home peacefully." 

That night brought wreck on sea and land; 

Full many a heart was sore; 
Destruction reigned on every hand. 

And dead forms strewed the shore. 

And all but one laughed shrill with glee, 

As home, at dawn, they hied; 
For Notus wept most bitterly, 

And ever more has sighed. 



18 



CHILDREN S VOICES. 




THREEiLITTLEI FRIENDS. 



"Loving, trusting, fearless, 'winsome; 

God has made sweet and mild: 
Now I know why Christ has likened 

Heaven to a little child." 



CHILDREN'S VOICES. 19 



CHILDREN'S VOICES. 

From the hammock gaily swinging, 
RippHng laugh and joyous shout 

Set the birds above to thinking, 
What the noise is all about; 

Now the leaves on all the branches, 
Quiet down, and whisper low 

'<■ Hear the happy little children; 
See, across the lawn they go." 

Down the long rows of potatoes, 
Chattering in thoughtless glee; 

Now they're by the currant bushes. 
Now beneath the apple tree. 

O'er the porch with noisy clatter. 
Flying curls and dancing feet, 

Here they are — but quickly vanish; 
Echoes now their laughter sweet. 

Loving, trusting, fearless, winsome, 
God has made them, sweet and mild 

Now I know why Christ has likened 
Heaven to a little child. 




" I'm Papa's sweetheart, if you please. 
My other name is Annie Louise." 



THE SAND LILY. 21 



THE SAND LILY. 

Beneath blue skies, that smile, and sigh, and weep. 

Where stunted trees of sage brush vigil keep; 

And never foot-print shows in shifting sand. 

It sleeps and dreams and waits for God's command 

To burst aside the swathing bands of white, 

And rise and breath forth fragrance to the light. 

In dreams the flower-soul struggles up toward heaven, 

And faintly feels the bells peal ''Christ has risen;" 

It bursts the bands; and white, with heart of gold. 

Starlike in form, like Bethlehem's sign of old. 

It offers homage, in its perfumed breath, 

To the God-man who saves the soul from death. 



22 DINAI-PS REBUKE. 



DINAH'S REBUKE. 



I passed a pla}^ room door one day, 
And heard a doll quite loudly say, 
''You are as ugly as a fright. 
You'd better stay out of our sight, 
You're made of rags, and have no hair, 
Your eyes have a most dreadful stare. 
You really ought to know your place, 
Who cares for you with such a face?" 

A dear French doll, with eyes of blue, 
And cheeks that had a wild rose hue. 
Was speaking in this angry tone; 
The rag doll only made a moan, 
And sobbed as if her heart would break; 
No word in answer did she make. 
But from her stove, that stood close by, 
A colored cook made sharp reply: 

''Miss Bessie, you shet yo' mouf tight, 
You's jes' a spilin' for a fight; 
Li'l' Miss like dis yer doll de bes' 
Case you's a spitfire; yo' fine dress 
An' pretty face don' count, you see, 
Case you as mean as mean can be." 

The first sobs ceased, but there were more, 
From Bessie — so I closed the door. 



DINAH'S REBUKE. 23 

You may have heard a proverb old, 
That will the moral tell^ 

'TIs *'Handsome is, that handsome does," 

In doll life, just as well, 

It will apply. A manner kind, 

And disposition mild 

Will win affection and make friends. 

For every little child. 




Those who know can ne'er forget 
Winsome, witching Margaret. 



LITTLE FEET. 25 



LITTLE FEET. 

Little dimpled, kicking feet, 

With a pink tint, just as sweet, 

As a fresh blush rose; 

Toward the flames' forked, leaping light. 

Making all the fireplace bright, 

Stretch your baby toes. 

Hesitating, little feet. 
Wearing tiny shoes so neat. 
Shortest steps now try; 
Love will guide them on the way, 
Loving hearts for them will pray, 
As the days go by. 

Patter, patter, little feet; 

Pleasant sounds these are to greet. 

Mother's listening ears: 

Up the stairs, and down the hall, 

Echoes every dear footfall. 

Far adown the years. 

Guide, Dear God, the little feet. 

O'er life's pathway. Help them meet, 

With a courage strong, 

Places thorny, rough and steep. 

Guard their innocence, and keep 

From all fear and wrong. 



26 RULE THE TEMPER. 



RULE THE TEMPER. 

Words that are cross, or harsh, or rude, 

Make bitterness and pain; 
They live when anger dies away. 

And penitence is vain. 
When tempted to a sharp retort, 

The ready tongue restrain. 

For he that rules his temper well. 

Is greater than the one. 
That taketh cities from the foe. 

In battle nobly won. 
A victory, o'er self, is gained, 

And conscience says ''well done." 



THE SEED'S MISSION. 27 



THE SEED'S MISSION. 

Away deep down, beneath the soft dark sod, 

In slumber lay a seed; a long green pod 

Had been its home through all the Summer days— 

But tiny lances from the Sun's bright rays 

Had cut in twain the walls once firmly bound, 

And five round seeds fell on the warm, moist ground. 

Four disappeared, and no one ever knew 
Their lots. One stormy day, a fierce wind blew 
Their erstwhile sister, near a straight young tree. 
That to the blast its head bent gracefully; 
It murmured low unto the frightened seed, 
''Stay close by me, I'll be your friend in need." 

Days passed; the kind tree shielded the poor waif, 
A chance step pressed it 'neath the earth, and safe 
It rested through the snowy wintry days. 
Wrapped 'round with slumber's soft and dreamy haze. 
When tiny bells of Spring began to ring — 
Softly earth sighed and pulsed and answering. 
Sent warm throes through a sympathetic breast, 
Rousing each drowsy germ from dream and rest. 



THE SEED'S MISSION 



In this lone seed a throb of life was felt; 
Within its heart, in supplication knelt 
A minute form, and begged for its release; 
Panted the seed, ''Oh rest, I pray, in peace; 
Thou art my life, my being, my own soul; 
Nothing am I apart — and sad knells toll 
For a deserted frame, if go you must — 
Alone, I can but mingle with the dust." 

The flower soul won, and joyous-sad a tear. 
It gave in parting; "Some day, never fear. 
We'll meet again." Then up it forced a way. 
Parted the sod and met the life of day. 
O life, O Love! God touched the struggling one 
With loving warmth, from beam of springtide sun 
Full soon, with dainty wings of pink and white. 
It wafted fragrance all the day and night. 

One beauteous day, a tiny zephyr's gust 
Laid next its heart, a small soft cloud of dust 
That earth gave up; in glad incensed perfume 
Rose mingling now the two; light out of gloom 
For the deserted seed. Again they meet 
And rise together to their Maker's feet. 
Commingling thus and thus content to stay 
In lowly adoration for alway. 




GLADYS. 

' ' One of my very oldest friends 
Is Santa Claus." 



30 ■ SANTA CLAUS. 



SANTA CLAUS. 

One of my very oldest friends 

Is Santa Claus. He always sends, 

Or comes himself to bring to me, 

The things I wish most anxiously. 

His home is o'er the hills so far, 

And just beneath the bright North star. 

His house is made of glistening snow, 

With posts of ice that gleam and glow; 

And frozen dewdrops everywhere 

Flash light, like jewels rich and rare. 

His fairy ice-men, day and night. 

Make toys that fill us with delight; 

And when old Santa drives away. 

With reindeer swift and well filled sleigh. 

The ''merry dancers" crowd the sky, 

With northern lights, that shift and fly, 

And all rejoice; for bells ring then — 

Sweet ''Peace on earth, good will to men. 



FRED, 31 




FRED. 

Where proudly rears its head, a mountain old, 
With rocky seams, held fast by threads of gold- 
Far up its heights, one mellow Autumn day, 
A little household sunbeam chanced to stray. 

Seeking a resting-place, a beam of light 
Caught in his bonnie golden hair. The night 
Gave deepened color to his roguish eyes. 
That question, laugh and look his mute surprise. 

His tiny hands have charm to banish care; 
His cooing greetings all our hearts ensnare; 
And love and comfort, happiness and joy, 
Cluster around this cherished baby boy. 



32 TWILIGHT MURMURS. 



TWILIGHT MURMURS. 

I sat in the gathering twilight, 

And I heard from the whispering trees, 

In the meadow lark's call from the hay field, 
And the murmur of evening breeze; 

The secret of loving and living. 
The comfort of sharing and giving, 
The wisdom of striving and caring. 
The beauty of doing and daring. 

The tree said, his head with pride shaking, — 
"My opening buds are my making 
I husband my strength for their growing; 
My love for them, thus I am showing." 

The meadow lark, warbled with sweetness, 
"The comfort of life, — its completeness. 
Is sharing of joy or of sadness. 
Is giving of love or of gladness." 

The zephyr breathed low o'er the flowers, 
"To be wise, make good use of the hours; 
Though my mission be naught but caressing. 
Patient work merits ever God's blessing." 



HOME AND MOTHER. 33 



HOME AND MOTHER. 

Where old Penobscot's waters flow, 

Now swift and strong, now still and low; 

Curving and widening to the sea, 

Twixt banks that rise so loftily, 

With rock, and pine, and bloom, and brush, 

Or lowly, curb his onward rush, — 

A village nestles 'round a bend. 
Fringed all along with trees that lend 
Reflected beauty. North and west 
Katahdin rears its snow capped-crest, — 
A blue-black bar against the sk}^ 
Where fleecy clouds lean dreamily. 

Low hills and fields in background blend; 
And o'er them now the cattle wend 
Their slow, contented homeward way: 
The sky glows red, as dies the day. 
A cottage stands, — half clad with vines. 
Two sides well screened with stately lines 
Of maples, — near the water's edge. 
The fence is hid by wild-rose hedge. 

The garden teems with beauteous bloom. 
That lades the night air with perfume; 
My mother stands among the flowers. — 
Across the gulf of days and hours, 



34 HOME AND MOTHER. 



And through a mist that dims my sight, 
I see her face. Eternal light 
Adds brightness to her look of love, 
That blesses from the Heaven above. 

So bind with flowers the picture 'round, 
And scatter blossoms o'er the ground 
Where rests the loving heart in sleep. 
Near rustling pines that vigil keep. 
As flows the river to the sea, 
So life sweeps toward Eternity. 




MARGARET R. 
" Guide, dear God, the little feet 
O'er life's pathway." 



36 MUSIC. 



MUSIC. 



In dear Arcadia long ago 
On mountain, or in vale below, 
In darksome cave, by singing brook. 
In every cool sequestered nook, 
A shrine to Music's god was raised; 
The flocks, in greater numbers grazed, 
The waters pure, with fishes teemed. 
Visions inspired, the huntsmen dreamed 
When Pan propitious grew. 

Then one clear, still, melodious eve. 
Such time the wood-nymphs witch'ries weave. 
Loud sounding from a cavern deep 
Rousing the echoes fast in sleep, 
A mighty voice called "Pan is dead." 
Each blossom heard with drooping head, 
And Nature grieved the livelong night; 
But dawn brought comfort with her light. 
For Music lived anew; 

In chirp of birds among the leaves, 
In rustling branch against the eaves. 
In zephyr's soft and balmy sigh, 
And gently, clearly, daintily, 
The purest note of music rings, 
Touches the heart, and lingering clings, 
Innocent, pure and undefiled, 
In accents of a little child 
Speaking God's love so true. 




RUSSELL. 

"You see! 
It don't hurt me a bit," said he. 



38 THE MA Y-DA Y PIC NIC. 

THE MAY DAY PIC-NIC. 

The day was bright the sky was clear, 
The wind was just a bit severe, 
And made the walking hard, — but then, 
It is not far to Violet Glen. 

And little steps of little feet 

Sped o'er the way and laughter sweet 

Woke all the echoes 'round about, 

And brought an answering laugh and shout. 

They put the baskets in the shade, 
And then each dainty little maid 
Picked violets, blue as baby eyes. 
Or deeply blue like cloudless skies. 

And then with games and romping play 
The moments swiftly passed away, 
And lunch time came; all sat around 
The snowy cloth spread on the ground. 

But Russell found the softest seat 
Right on the cream cake; at his feet 
A glass of jam; nor did he know 
Until the girls all shouted so. 

Then he got, up, and rubbed the cream 
All into every crease and seam 
Of his brown overalls; "You see. 
It don't hurt me a bit," said he. 

Oh! happy childhood pic-nic days. 
Light-hearted, careless childhood ways; 
When down the slope the pathway lies, 
Your sunlight gilds the western skies. 



CHANGE. 39 



CHANGE. 

1 he brown seed, warmed by mother earth, 
The tender leaves of green, gives birth; 
Small plants, by sun and dew caressed, 
In bloom and fragrance twice are blessed; 
Departing, then the blossom mute 
Leaves in its place the growling fruit. 

The seed-time comes, the harvest goes. 
The summer's sun melts winter's snows. 
The moon a narrow crescent gleams. 
Anon, and roundly bright she beams; 
And ever Time cries, "onward still." 
Days, hours and years the centuries fill. 

A moment is so small a space. 
Haste then, and give the years a place. 
And sweet, from heaven, as fast they speed, 
A tender voice falls, "Oh, give heed; 
Tieasure and husband each small grain. 
For life's sands iiow not back again." 




More rare than gems the depths conceal 
These sunbeams are: Frank and Lucile. 



THE SILVER LINING. 41 



THE SILVER LINING. 

A naughty cloud once disobeyed, 

And whirled across the sky; 
Then with the wind queer antics played, 

And romped quite boist'rously; 

Then he was punished till he cried, 

The sunshine left his face; 
He scattered raindrops far and wide, 

So keen he felt disgrace. 

The trees were cleansed from dust and stain. 

Rejoiced each plant and leaf, 
Repentant tears relieved his pain, 

And joy succeeded grief. 





•Am,- 




This is Leslie, sweet and fair, 
Eyes of blue, and golden hair, 



SOAP BUBBLES. 43 



SOAP BUBBLES. 

A basin of soap and water she brings, 

And a pipe of whitest clay; 
'' I'm going to blow soap bubbles," she sings, 

"Just to pass the time away." 

Then on the cool porch near old apple trees. 

All agleam with shifting light, 
Came our blue-eyed sweetheart, Annie Louise, 

Like the blossoms, pink and white. 

An old cross-eyed Brownie got in the dish, 

And the bubbles wouldn't make; 
The soap bubble fairies thought him a fish, 

And with fear began to quake. 

And each pretty elf in bright-colored gown. 

Hovered closely to the bowl; 
So when the clay pipe was turned upside down, 

Just their tears outside would roll. 

This dear little miss, in pink and white dress, 
Quite vainly stamped her small foot, 

The frightened elves hung back nevertheless, 
As if they had taken root. 



44 SOAF BUBBLES. 



The Brownie meantime was chuckling with glee, 

His delight was in being mean; 
When home Papa came and he helped matters out, 

By adding some glycerine. 

For Brownies like sweets, and this most of all, 

And it made him good right away; 
Now down through the air the soap bubbles fall. 

With colors so bright and gay. 

And elfins with sashes, blue, gold and red. 
Smile and dance on globes so bright, 

As airily now they float overhead, 
Or fly off on beams of light. 



DUTY AND REWARD. 45 



DUTY AND REWARD. 

The earth whirls 'round and onward speeds 

O'er endless path around the Sun; 
The comet's luring she ne'er heeds; 

Stars beckon, worlds with tasks half done. 
Tempt her to stray. Fierce inward fires 

Rage for release. Wind, wave and air 
Strive for fulfillment of desires. 

While many stars, old earth must bear. 

Each struggling, jealous element, 

Good purpose, in the end must serve: 
So seamed, tossed, seared, upheaved and rent, 

Unfalteringly, she does not swerve. 
And on the lives she bears along. 

Reflection on her own is cast; 
Always the fight twix't right and wrong, 

'Till peace and rest are found at last. 




HAMISE. 
" Now I lay me down to sleep. 



NIGHT-FALL. 47 



NIGHT-FALL. 



The big, round sun, with bright, hot face, 
Has searched all day to find a place, 
Where he may hide himself and rest. 
Behind yon mountain in the west, 
Whose snowy crest invited him. 
He sinks at length, subdued and dim. 

The cricket chirps his evening song; 
The rising moon casts shadows long; 
The crinkly clouds play hide and seek 
With nimble stars, that earthward peek; 
The mother bird guards well her nest, 
And all things speak of night and rest. 

The little children, tired with play, 
Fold dimpled hands and kneeling say, 
"And now I lay me down to sleep, 
I pray the Lord my soul to keep;" 
The angels kiss their eyelids down. 
And each one drifts to slumber town. 

Earth catches from the echoing spheres, 

The music of the bygone years; 

And every tiny wave of air. 

The restful messsage strives to bear. 

Bird, insect, babbling brook and tree, 

Repeat night's peaceful harmony. 




ANNIE LOUISE. 



At night fall, sunbeams homeward fly. 
So now, we all bid you good-bye. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

015 908 176 A # 



